Capture of Planetesimals by the Giant Planets

BRUNINI, A.

EARTH, MOON, AND PLANETS

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 1995 vol. 71 p. 281 - 284

0167-9295

We investigate the possibility of gravitational capture of planetesimals as temporary or permanent satellites of Uranus and Neptune during the process of planetary growth. The capture mechanism is based in the enhancement of the Hill´s sphere of action not only due to the mass acquired by the planet, but also by the variation of the planet-Sun distance as a consequence of the scattering of planetesimals by the planets of the outer solar system. Our calculations indicate that satellite capture was very important, specially during the first stages of the accretion process, contributing in a significant way to the planetary growth.